All year I've heard how bad off we are economically, but it this true? If we had a Democratic president right now, would the media be fixated on telling us everyday how terrible things are? Do they have an agenda in getting somebody else elected that is more important than facts?
I was sitting here listening to Barack Obama's "change" candidate, VP nominee Joe "I've been in Washington over 30 years" Biden prattle on for 10 minutes about everything wrong with our country. Barack Obama's been doing the same for months. From their descriptions, all but about 10% of the population is practically destitute. Sure, we've hit a rough spot, and times are difficult for folks. But, in many cases, what is the definition of "difficult" we are using?
*70% of folks own homes. Home ownership has never been greater in our nation's history. Of course, the average home size has doubled in the last 30 years.
*A generation ago, families were lucky to have one car. Now most have two, three, or four cars. And until recently, many of them were the big gas guzzling kind.
*96% of all mortgages are paid on time. Of course, the default rate more than tripled in the past several years as people took out loans for even bigger homes they couldn't afford.
*Americans gave away over $300 billion dollars in charitable contributions last year.
*In 2007, the national GDP (gross domestic product, or the value of what we produce) was almost $14 trillion dollars. That is bigger than the next four countries combined (Japan, Germany, China, UK).
I think many of us are greedy. The next "thing" is never enough. Everybody has to best their neighbors and friends. And for the past 25 years, we've been doing so. Maybe we have to make a few choices now, so we get grumpy and want the government to bail us out. You mean I can't put zero down on a house with a monthly payment that is 40% of my salary anymore? I shouldn't buy trucks & SUV's with near single digit gas mileage? I shouldn't take my kids to watch Kobe Bryant and pay $500?
This country is unbelievable in what we've achieved. Despite the network news media's daily axe grinding, we are still the envy of the world. When they need somebody to step up we do. When they need someone to buy their stuff we do. When they need someone to beat back communism and fascism we do. Let's go back to the days of Reagan and celebrate our republic's achievements. Are we perfect? Of course not. But we are the last great hope for freedom in this world and we should never forget it.
I was sitting here listening to Barack Obama's "change" candidate, VP nominee Joe "I've been in Washington over 30 years" Biden prattle on for 10 minutes about everything wrong with our country. Barack Obama's been doing the same for months. From their descriptions, all but about 10% of the population is practically destitute. Sure, we've hit a rough spot, and times are difficult for folks. But, in many cases, what is the definition of "difficult" we are using?
*70% of folks own homes. Home ownership has never been greater in our nation's history. Of course, the average home size has doubled in the last 30 years.
*A generation ago, families were lucky to have one car. Now most have two, three, or four cars. And until recently, many of them were the big gas guzzling kind.
*96% of all mortgages are paid on time. Of course, the default rate more than tripled in the past several years as people took out loans for even bigger homes they couldn't afford.
*Americans gave away over $300 billion dollars in charitable contributions last year.
*In 2007, the national GDP (gross domestic product, or the value of what we produce) was almost $14 trillion dollars. That is bigger than the next four countries combined (Japan, Germany, China, UK).
I think many of us are greedy. The next "thing" is never enough. Everybody has to best their neighbors and friends. And for the past 25 years, we've been doing so. Maybe we have to make a few choices now, so we get grumpy and want the government to bail us out. You mean I can't put zero down on a house with a monthly payment that is 40% of my salary anymore? I shouldn't buy trucks & SUV's with near single digit gas mileage? I shouldn't take my kids to watch Kobe Bryant and pay $500?
This country is unbelievable in what we've achieved. Despite the network news media's daily axe grinding, we are still the envy of the world. When they need somebody to step up we do. When they need someone to buy their stuff we do. When they need someone to beat back communism and fascism we do. Let's go back to the days of Reagan and celebrate our republic's achievements. Are we perfect? Of course not. But we are the last great hope for freedom in this world and we should never forget it.
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It's always good to see conservatives speak out. This article creates a very good high-level perspective. These are mild recession-like conditions... A correction was due to humble our excesses and put us a little more back into line with reality:
ReplyDelete- Our houses are not ATMs.
- Oil follows supply and demand, and the price is set by the commodities exchange. More demand, and a little changed-supply means the price goes up- We must adapt!
- "Things" are never enough. A humble lifestyle is the best way to true prosperity.
Chris,
ReplyDeleteI don't know why more people can't see their excesses. I'm guilty of it too. It is so easy to fill our lives with things that don't matter.
Oil does follow supply and demand..and you know what is funny? Liberals love when "speculation" increases housing prices but then they hate it when it comes to gas prices. Simply amazing.
Here! Here!
ReplyDeleteIt's often a matter of perspective. Great insight! Thanks for the perspective calibration!
Yes, I think we all need a reality check from to time. We have lost site of the true priority. "Keeping up with the Jones'" has morphed into " Borrow, Borrow, Borrow to beat the Jones'" It is interesting to consider what our economy might be like if people actually lived within their means and the only payment they had to make was the mortgage! Hmmm, what a concept!
ReplyDelete